Fear and Avoidance
Pain is a danger signal. It lets us know when we are injured and warns us against causing further tissue damage. All pain is created in the brain, whether originating from a structural cause, or neuroplastic pain caused by emotional distress.
Regardless of the cause, all pain is real. Although treatment for chronic conditions mainly focuses on managing physical symptoms it is key to address the psychological and emotional impact of these conditions and symptoms. Of course, when you are injured, certain activities and movements need to be avoided.
However, when we get better or if the pain is not from a structural cause or systemic disease, avoidance actually impedes recovery.
Believing that pain is dangerous can perpetuate the danger signals and increase your pain symptoms.
Our brains often cannot distinguish between a physical or psychological threat. When bodily sensations are interpreted as danger signals, pain-related fear increases and pain further perpetuates.
What does this mean for your mental health?
Your pain is real and valid, whether from an emotional or physical cause, as are your emotional, physical and physiological experiences of it.
When emotional distress increases, it can be difficult to challenge beliefs that movement is dangerous to you and your recovery.
This is a common and valid experience, however as body and mind are intrinsically interconnected, emotional distress contributes to pain and symptoms.
If this resonates with you, what can you do about it?
Try self-soothing techniques such as slow breathing or meditations to calm your nervous system and reduce danger signals
Try some gentle movement; it is helpful to start small and remind yourself you are safe
Bear in mind that as body and mind are intrinsically interconnected, emotional distress contributes to pain and symptoms
Contact me for one-to-one support as a trained mindbody practitioner, specialising in chronic conditions.
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